The Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the most talked-about potential trade destinations for Philadelphia 76ers superstar Ben Simmons.
But if the Wolves do manage to land President of Basketball Operations’ Gersson Rosas’ latest white whale, how will Simmons’ unique skill set fit with the current roster?
Minnesota Timberwolves: Examining Ben Simmons’ potential fit
Ben Simmons doesn’t deserve to be the Philadelphia 76ers’ scapegoat.
Of course, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick disappointed in the 2021 playoffs, particularly when his scoring and free throw issues came to a head with the infamous passed-up layup in Game 7 against the Hawks. And while Simmons merits blame for failing to improve his offensive skill set since he entered the NBA, his on-court struggles have just as much to do with his situation in Philadelphia.
Simmons is a massive and elite athlete who brings considerable playmaking and ballhandling skills to the table but has zero shooting ability. The worst situation for a player like that is playing alongside a post-up big man — even one as good as Joel Embiid — and being called upon to be the top perimeter creator. Between Embiid, Tobias Harris, the Al Horford experiment, and uneven offensive schemes, Simmons has rarely had the spacing that players with his abilities thrive in.
Now that he has formally asked for a trade, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Simmons could have the opportunity to prove he can be more impactful on a team that complements him better.
The Timberwolves have been among the teams listed as engaging the Sixers in trade talks, but is Minnesota the very specific environment Simmons needs?
Let’s explore his potential fit on both ends of the floor and how the Wolves may deploy him if he ends up in the Twin Cities.